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WHO Says COVID-19 Pandemic is Accelerating in Africa

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - The World Health Organization reports the COVID-19 pandemic is
   accelerating in Africa and moving from the continent's large capital
   cities into the remote rural areas where it will be more difficult to
   contain the spread of the disease. Globally, there were more than seven
   million coronavirus infections Wednesday, including more than 400,000
   deaths.

   Latest reports Wednesday put the number of confirmed cases of
   coronavirus in Africa at more than 200,000, including 5,000 deaths.
   World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso
   Moeti, notes it took 98 days to reach the first 100,000 cases and only
   19 days to move to 200,000 cases.

   "So, even though these cases in Africa account for less than three
   percent of the global total, it is clear that the pandemic is
   accelerating," Moeti said. "Ten of the 54 countries in Africa are
   currently driving the numbers, and they account for 75 percent of the
   total cases. Five countries account for 71 percent of the total
   deaths."

   South Africa has the largest number of cases and deaths. Data show the
   majority of coronavirus deaths in the region follow a similar trend to
   that seen in Europe and the United States. That is, most who die are
   over age 60 and have underlying conditions such as diabetes,
   hypertension and obesity.

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